The Tigers went 2-2 over these four games before the All-Star break hit. They opened with a win over the Athletics, 4-1, then took the opener of a series against the Philadelphia Phillies 10-2 before dropping the next two, 2-4 and then 0-5. That series against the Phillies ended up a series loss, one win and two losses.
The division didn't get any friendlier. The Tigers sit fourth in the American League Central, now 6.5 games back after being 5.5 back a week ago. The Chicago White Sox lead the pack and went 3-1 this stretch, and the Cleveland Guardians were the ones who really made noise, going 4-0. The Tigers' record now stands at 44-52. On the wild card side there's a little bit of good news, they're 3.5 back there now instead of 4, even after this stretch. The Tigers are on a two game losing streak right now, but zoom out to the last ten games and it's actually 7-3, a solid stretch in a season that hasn't gone their way overall.
A few players stood out. Zach McKinstry (SS) hit a home run with 2 RBI on July 9. Kevin McGonigle (SS) and Spencer Torkelson (1B) both went deep with 2 RBI apiece on July 10. On the mound, Framber Valdez threw 7 innings, struck out 9, and allowed just 1 earned run for the win on July 9, and Jack Flaherty followed with 6 innings and 6 strikeouts for the win on July 10. Eduardo Valencia (DH) was the hottest bat of the stretch, hitting .500 over four games with 5 hits in 10 at-bats, 2 home runs and 3 RBI.
The league paused for the All-Star Game on July 14, so there's been nothing to watch these last few days. The Tigers are back in action Friday, July 17 at 6:38 PM, on the road against the Los Angeles Angels for a three game series.